The Visionary, the Wise Man, and the Badass…

After a wild Raw After Mania, Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker will be here to establish themselves as the new force of nature on Monday nights!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Rhea Ripley VS Roxanne Perez; Rhea wins, by disqualification.
• Finn Balor & JD McDonagh w/ Carlito VS The War Raiders; The War Raiders win.
• Stephanie Vaquer VS Ivy Nile w/ Chad Gable; Vaquer wins.
• Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman & Seth Rollins; Bron wins, by referee stoppage.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nick Aldis is filling in for Adam Pearce.

The Raw General Manager is taking some administrative leave given last week’s particularly chaotic and violent Raw, so the SmackDown GM will gladly step in. Surely no ulterior motives like showing he’s a superior GM…

Seth Rollins is here!

Kansas City fires up for the Visionary as he leads The Wise Man and the Badass to the ring. And while Rollins wears stylish sunglasses and long-tailed coat, Paul Heyman got Bron Breakker to wear a suit! The fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as the three step into the ring, and Rollins pats both Heyman and Bron on the shoulder. The fans bark for Bron, and they again sing for Rollins as Rollins has the mic already. Rollins revels in this moment as usual, then he tells Kansas City, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~!” He is the Visionary, he is the Revolutionary, he is Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!

“And in case you didn’t know, you’ve been living under a rock, you’re looking at the winner of the main event of WrestleMania! And I know it’s a little difficult for some of you out there that still wanna chant for CM Punk…” Some fans do indeed still chant for CM Punk. Rollins nods and says, “I knew there were still a few out there. And I know it might be painful for you who still wanna put your fingers in the air for Roman Reigns…” And fans do indeed raise the ones and chant “O T C! O T C!” Rollins says what you are looking at in this ring right now is the future of this industry! The fans do cheer that.

Rollins says the future runs through one man. That man is NOT CM Punk. That man is NOT Roman Reigns. Hell, it’s not even John Cena, Jey Uso or Cody Rhodes! The future of this industry, with Paul Heyman to his left, and Bron Breakker to his right, the future of this industry runs through SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS! But wait! Sami Zayn makes his way out here! Sami goes to the ring and grabs himself a mic, but Rollins gives Sami the introductions. The fans do cheer, and Rollins has Bron stand down. Rollins says it is good to see Sami back on Monday Night Raw! Rollins assumes Sami caught WrestleMania.

Sami says yes, he did. He saw the main event of night one. How long have they been friends? A long time, right? Well, then Sami feels the need to come out here as a friend, as someone who has known Rollins a long time, to say that this… “This is a load of crap, man.” What/ What does he mean? Uh, how much time did Rollins talk about Punk, Roman, and how one the one thing those two had in common is standing by Rollins now. How is Rollins any different? Whoa, wait, is Sami comparing Rollins to Punk and Roman? How can this NOT be different? Sami says for the longest time, he started to believe Rollins just had this hatred for Punk and Roman.

But now, maybe Rollins was just jealous of them. Maybe Rollins just wanted to be in the position that they were in. Rollins says Sami, look, Rollins is not Punk, he is not Roman, this is the vision for the future! They go back many, many years, talking about what the vision of the future would look like. Oh, yes, isn’t that a coincidence? The “vision” for the future of the WWE and of the entire industry for years to come, it all revolves around Rollins being front and center. That’s not a coincidence! Rollins is the best man for the job! That’s Sami’s point, Rollins. It isn’t coincidence, it is hypocrisy.

Sami says all this time talking about The Bloodline this, the Bloodline that, and- Rollins stops Sami there. This is NOT The Bloodline, stop making that comparison! Well how is it different? The Wise Man over on that side, and a lapdog over on the other. And if Bron keeps looking at Sami like that, Sami will kick Bron’s face in! The fans fire up hearing that! Rollins shouts for everyone to calm down. Sami, what is this? You came out here to be honest with Rollins, so Rollins will be honest with you. This IS the vision for the future. And Sami is either with them, or they are against them. And that’s not a threat.

Rollins doesn’t want Sami to be an enemy. This whole thing is bigger than Rollins. It doesn’t matter if Rollins hates you like he does Roman and Punk, or if he loves you like a brother. You stand in his way, you become a target, and Rollins doesn’t want that for Sami. So they can find a solution to this. It doesn’t have to come to blows. Wise Man, please, pull some strings. Sami can be moved off Raw. The fans boo and Rollins says no, that’s not a threat! It’s just that Sami clearly won’t buy in, so maybe they can cash him out. That is not a threat. But it is an offer. A favor, even. So look, Sami, just think about it. But they will need an answer by the end of the night.

Rollins turns to go, Heyman has Bron stand down, and the clock is ticking. Will the Underdog from the Underground side with Rollins’ vision? Or will he be the first to stand against it?

Rhea Ripley VS Roxanne Perez!

Mami came to the rescue last week when The Prodigy and Giulia went after Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer. Rhea still wants to be on top, will her brutality go a long way towards that? Or will the former NXT Women’s Champion pop off against the former Women’s World Champion?

Raw returns and Roxie makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Rhea and Roxie circle, the fans behind “MAMI! MAMI!” The two tie up, Roxie dodges and then bails out. The fans boo but Roxie tells the ref to back Rhea off. Rhea does back up, and Roxie takes her time stepping inside. Roxie and Rhea feel things out, but then Roxie bails out again! The fans boo but Roxie is clearly trolling. Roxie then throws her jacket at Rhea! Roxie storms in and CHOP BLOCKS! Rhea writhes, the fans boo but Roxie talks trash. Roxie CLUBS and kicks and stomps, but then Rhea grabs Roxie by the hair!

Roxie SLAPS Rhea, then laughs. Rhea is furious so now Roxie apologizes. But then Roxie dropkicks the legs out and Rhea hits buckles! Roxie runs in, UPPERCUTS, then comes back, but into a BOOT! Rhea reels Roxie in, Canadian Racks, but Roxie hooks the ropes! Roxie slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges to wheelbarrow, but no bulldog! Roxie shifts to roll Rhea, and she stomps away on the bad leg! Rhea BOOTS Roxie away with the good leg! But then Roxie SWEEPS the legs! The fans rally but Roxie DROPKICKS Rhea out! Roxie builds speed to DIVE! But Rhea catches her! The fans fire up as Rhea THROWS Roxie into barriers!

Roxie is down, Rhea shakes out the bad leg, then she drags Roxie up. SNAKE EYES off the barriers! The ring count climbs, Rhea stalks Roxie, and Rhea puts Roxie in the ring. Roxie backs up but Rhea puts her on the apron! Rhea DECKS Roxie, then drags her back up, only for Roxie to trip Rhea! Roxie SLAMS Rhea’s bad leg into the post! Rhea resists as Roxie tries again, but Roxie CLUBS away, then she SLAMS the leg back into post! The fans boo but Roxie runs, tilt-o-whirl RUSSIAN- NO, Rhea blocks with power! Roxie slips free of the scoop but Rhea LARIATS her down! The fans fire up while Rhea gets her leg moving.

Rhea hauls Roxie up, whips her to a corner, then runs in. Roxie BOOTS Rhea away, then goes up and leaps! But Rhea catches her again! Rhea powers through to suplex high and hard! Roxie staggers up, but Rhea DROPKICKS Roxie down! Roxie bails out, Rhea shakes the bad leg out, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Roxie double jumps and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives and Roxie grows frustrated. The fans rally but Roxie goes for the bad legs. Spinning toehold, then a DEATHLOCK! Rhea endures as Roxie puts on the pressure! Rhea CLUBS Roxie, Roxie pushes on the bad leg, repeat! Roxie fires a forearm, Rhea fires a haymaker, but Roxie fires a flurry! Roxie lets Rhea go to then have a standing toehold! Roxie pushes on the knee and ankle, but Rhea kicks with the free leg! Roxie still holds on so Rhea kicks at her again and again! Rhea finally BOOTS free, then ENZIGIRIS! Roxie comes back, but Rhea wrenches to a short arm LARIAT!

Rhea short arm LARIATS, then ducks a shot to wrench and HOOK KICK! Rhea reels Roxie in and lifts her up, Canadian Rack for the RAZOR’S EDGE! Roxie flounders, Rhea SLIDING KICKS! Cover, TWO!! The bad leg holds Rhea back and Roxie survives for it! Rhea hobbles and goes back for Roxie. Rhea drags Roxie up, then fires off in the corner! The ref counts but the fans fire up! Wait, is that Giulia!? The Beautiful Madness is back again, taunting Rhea. Rhea eggs Giulia on, but Roxie snatches Rhea to a cradle! TWO!! Roxie runs and tilt-o-whirls to SPIKE-RANA! Roxie gets moving and she HANDSPRING KNEE DROPS! Cover, TWO!!

Rhea survives and Roxie is freaking out! Giulia is just as frustrated over that count, but Roxie drags Rhea up. Roxie SLAPS Rhea, Rhea SLAPS Roxie! Roxie SOBATS, hops on, POP- NO, Rhea flips that over and KNEES Roxie down! Rhea then glares at Giulia. Giulia eggs Rhea on, Rhea grabs Giulia’s hair! Roxie rolls Rhea, but Rhea rolls through and HEADBUTTS! Rhea pump handles, but Giulia CHOP BLOCKS Rhea!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by disqualification 

The fans boo but Giulia HAMMERS away on Rhea! Roxie joins in, but here comes Iyo Sky! The fans fire up as the Evil Genius rushes in, dodges Roxie and SHOTEIS Giulia! SHOTEI for Roxie! Iyo blocks Giulia’s kick to send it into Roxie! Then victory roll, STOMP 182! The fans fire up with Iyo, and then she runs at Roxie! Roxie puts Iyo on the apron, but Iyo GAMANGIRIS! Giulia is up, and she trips Iyo up on the springboard! Now the champ is getting mugged! Rhea returns, and that sends Roxie & Giulia running! Roxie & Giulia never used to be friends, but they have common targets in Iyo & Rhea. Will they come to regret it?

Judgment Day talks in the clubhouse.

They’re all excited, and then Finn joins in! Finn formally welcomes JD McDonagh back from injury, and mentions they need to talk later. They go off to the side and Finn thought JD was going to tell him when he was back. JD says he told Dom first, he meant to tell Finn, and he’s sorry. Finn is fine with that, he just wishes JD had told him. JD knows, but with the Intercontinental Championship match, JD was cleared quicker than he thought and- Liv checks in. Is everything okay? Sure, of course! Just catching up. Okay, but why aren’t they getting ready for their match? Wait, what match?

JD says he was also going to tell Finn but it got away from him. Liv said it’d be great if JD & Finn made another run at the World Tag Team Championships, and JD agreed, so he went to Nick Aldis and they’ve got a match with the War Raiders tonight. JD thought Liv was going to tell Finn. Liv says it’s just been so busy, it slipped her mind. But she just figured, since Finn isn’t a champion right now, that he’d be interested. Well of course he’d be interested. But in the future, please keep Finn in the loop. Yes, absolutely. Finn says he’ll go get ready, JD and Liv grumble at each other, but Carlito says it’ll be great once everyone is champion. Oh wait, maybe Carlito should be, too…

Liv & JD go back to the game with Dom and Raquel, and Carlito seems to have an idea. But what title could Caribbean Cool possibly capture?

Logan Paul is here!

Raw returns as The Maverick is already in the ring. Kansas City boos, but Logan says, “Hey, yo! That’s crazy, cuz I dunno if y’all remember, but I beat the Phenomenal AJ Styles last weekend at WrestleMania. And I hear you. You people still aren’t satisfied. Hey, hey, hey, I get it. You’re from Kansas City, you’re a victim of circumstance. You don’t know greatness when it’s standing right in front of you. You people are so, so stupid! You don’t know what a true legend looks like. And hey, hey, I’m gonna say something, and it might offend some of you, you’re not gonna like it. But a true legend certainly does not look like your current World Heavyweight Champion, Jey Uso.”

The fans boo but Logan says he has had seven days to think. He realized he’s done just about everything there is in this industry, except win the world title. “So Jey Uso! Consider your days numbered, because you have something that I want!” But then YEET! Here comes Main Event Jey! The fans fire up and sing along with that Day One Ish, and the bounce is on! Jey even bestows his YEET sunglasses to a young fan who beat cancer and is at his first WWE show. The fans fire up for that, and they YEET again! Jey steps in the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Logan looks right at the belt, and Jey tells him hold up.

Let’s silence this noise! Cuz Logan thinks that after 15 YEARS of Jey making a name for himself, finally becoming World Heavyweight Champion, that Jey’s just gonna hand this over to some punk YouTuber like Logan Paul! STOP! “YEET!” Jey tells Pat, “Can you believe this?” Jey says let’s get real for a minute. Jey watched Gunther beat his twin brother to a bloody pulp. That did something to Jey. It lit a fire inside of him that ain’t ever going out. So look, Logan, this title is not given, it is earned. And it’s Jey’s! So if you want it, come take it! Four letters, one word. Uh, uh, YEET!! The fans fire up, but Logan rolls his eyes.

“YEET? You sound so stupid, Uce. I’ve done more in four years than you have in 15! All of you know that’s true!” So Logan has something for Jey! This is how it’s gonna go: That title? Logan will take it from Jey. And Jey will do what he does best, what he always does, and that is crash out, screw up, and lose in less time than he held the Intercontinental Championship. So enjoy it while you- SUPERKICK!! The fans fire up as Jey just knocks this punk ass YouTuber on his punk ass! Will this be the story of Logan trying to take the main event from Main Event Jey?

Finn Balor & JD McDonagh w/ Carlito VS The War Raiders!

The Prince was as surprised as the fans to see The Irish Ace return, but while JD helped Dirty Dom become Intercontinental Champion, now the lads can be WWE World Tag Team Champions again. Well, that’s if they can get past Erik & Ivar to go after the New Day. Will this be a bright new chapter for Judgment Day? Or will they simply run into Ragnarök?

Speaking of The New Day, they’re ringside to be part of commentary, and they’re just running down everyone, even claiming that by supporting the War Raiders, you’re supporting literal war. The teams sort out and Ivar starts against JD. The bell rings and they tie up. JD waistlocks, headlocks, but Ivar powers out. JD RAMS Ivar but he’s the one that falls back! Finn swipes at Ivar, Ivar storms up on Finn, but JD headlocks Ivar. Ivar powers up and out again, but JD slips through the backdrop! JD waistlocks, Ivar bucks the O’Conner, then Ivar DECKS Finn! JD CLUBS Ivar, kicks away, and Finn tags in. The Judgment Day mugs Ivar, then soaks up the cheers and jeers.

Finn tags JD back in, JD wrenches Ivar’s beard! Ivar whips JD away, then he BACKDROPS JD! Tag to Erik and he DECKS JD! Finn runs up, but Erik wrenches and lifts Finn for an EXPLODER! JD runs, Erik dodges and SHOTGUN KNEES! The fans fire up and Erik tags Ivar in. Erik sends Ivar in and he LARIATS Finn! Then he feeds Finn to Erik’s ELBOW! Ivar KNEES JD, whips and Erik KNEES JD down! Erik drags JD up, TOSSES him out to join Finn, and the fans cheer on the Raiders. The New Day taunts the raiders with the titles, and Judgment Day returns! But the Raiders scoop and SLAM both JD & Finn!

Finn tumbles away, Ivar scoops JD to SLAM him again! Erik scoops Ivar to SLAM him onto JD! Erik steps outside so Ivar can tag him back in. Ivar then lines up a shot, and the fans fire up as he runs in. But Carlito drags Finn who drags JD to get him out of the way! Ivar crashes into the LED apron! Erik checks on Ivar, Woods mockingly says, “It’s impressive cuz he’s fat, wow~.” The New Day verbally runs down the Raiders while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and JD RAMS Erik into the Judgment Day corner. The ref counts as JD throws hands, but fans count along. Erik stops JD at 5, BLASTS Finn, but JD kicks Erik. Erik DECKS JD! Both men are down, the fans fire up, and New Day makes bald jokes on Erik. JD and Erik crawl, hot tags to Ivar and Finn! The fans fire up as Ivar rallies on Finn! Scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Ivar runs to SPLASH! The fans fire up with Ivar and he runs, but Finn dodges. Ivar SEATED SENTONS! Then he cartwheels past JD to HEEL KICK! The fans fire up and Ivar gets them to chant, “WAR! WAR! WAR!” Ivar runs to BRONCO BUSTER!

Finn sputters into the drop zone, Ivar goes up, and the fans fire up again. DOOMSAULT FLOPS as Finn moves! Carlito is relieved while Finn and Ivar are both down. Finn crawls, Ivar stirs, and New Day just puts themselves over. Hot tag to JD, and he uses Ivar as a step to BLAST Erik! Then JD DUMPS Ivar out, and he ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and no desk to worry about on that side! JD puts Ivar in the ring, climbs up again, and he MOONSAULTS! Cover, Erik breaks it! Finn returns to fire hands on Erik! Finn TOSSES Erik out, then he and JD double whip Ivar. Erik sneaks a tag, Ivar breaks the double lariat!

Ivar handsprings and DOUBLE BACK ELBOWS! Kofi say she can do that, too. Erik goes out to fetch JD, Ivar has Finn, and the fans fire up as the Raiders DOUBLE LAWN DART Finn & JD into each other! New Day says get those two in the ring then! Dummies! Erik puts JD in, then glares at Kofi & Woods. Ivar throws Finn at the New Day! The fans fire up, and then Ivar SPLASHES them all!! The fans fire up, Carlito gets up, Erik DECKS him! JD rolls Erik up, TWO! Erik has JD but JD JAWBREAKERS! JD goes up, Carlito distracts more, but PENTA is here! He SHOVES JD to screw JD! Payback for WrestleMania!

Erik tags Ivar, the fans fire up as JD is popped up for the WAR MACHINE!! Cover, War Raiders win!

Winners: The War Raiders, by pinfall

The man with Cero Miedo made sure JD & Finn get nothing! Will Dirty Dom and the Intercontinental Championship be next? Will New Day have to face the raid once more?

Sami Zayn contemplates backstage.

Otis asks him what he’s thinking, and Sami says he isn’t sure. But then in steps Paul Heyman. The Wise Man sits with Sami and asks Otis give them the room. Otis obliges, and Heyman says he was thinking about what Sami said about The Bloodline. Heyman & Sami are OG Bloodline, y’know? Sami says that is true. But Heyman blew up whatever was left. Well, Heyman respected when Sami broke away. Maybe one day, Sami will respect what Heyman did. But Heyman isn’t here to talk about that. “Seth Rollins views himself as the vanguard of the future of this entire industry. And whether he is or he isn’t, that’s how he views himself.

“And Bron Breakker? Well, that’s his dog at the gate. And whether he is or he isn’t, that’s how Bron Breakker views himself. And Bron Breakker right now is demanding a match with you. Seth and I, we can’t say no to that because Bron Breakker is the key to our plans. But Seth Rollins, he holds you in such reverence, he is offering you a pass. If you accept being traded to SmackDown starting this Friday, everybody wins!” Sami is about to get up but Heyman has him hold on. Heyman has spoken with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis. Seth Rollins is going to do Sami a favor. Oh, is he? Yes.

If Sami accepts the offer, the moment Sami arrives on SmackDown, he is set to face the winner of John Cena VS Randy Orton after Backlash! Just like that! Instant #1 contender. That’s how much Rollins thinks of Sami. Think of your future, Sami. And of your family’s future. “Sami, you can live in the future… Or you can die with the past. Think about it.” Heyman pats Sami on the back, leaves, and Bron is there around the corner. Will the dog still get to take a bite out of the underdog? Or will Sami make his dreams come true?

Becky Lynch is here!

Kansas City isn’t quite as excited to see The Man as usual given what she did to The Morrigan the moment they lost the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Becky grabs a mic and says, “The Man has come around to Kansas City! And The Man is back in business, so let’s get down to business, shall we? Bayley was tragically taken out of her WrestleMania match, but there won’t be any murder mystery, any weeks long whodunnit. I have examined the evidence, I have reviewed the footage, and we have found the culprit. It was me! I did it!” The fans boo, but Becky says no no no no no no! Don’t make her the bad guy here!

They can’t act like Becky is the villain! You can’t fake outrage! Bayley has attacked Becky nonstop since 2019! And not one time did Bayley apologize! But are we supposed to just forget about it? Just like how Bayley’s forgotten just what this business is! While Bayley’s out here going, “Everyone, please like me!” and wearing everybody else’s merch, and dancing to everyone else’s music, and asking, “Why aren’t I a bigger star?” Well, she just saw what a bigger star looks like when Becky walked down the ramp at WrestleMania! The fans boo, but Becky says that brings her to Lyra Valkyria. As the saying goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

But then the reverse works, too. The friend of an enemy is an enemy! Lyra wouldn’t be in this business if not for Becky! Becky had high hopes for Lyra. But while Becky was out, Lyra cozied up to the woman Becky’s been fighting for the last six YEARS!? Even then, Becky still tried to save Lyra and get her to “ditch that b*tch!” Lyra never would’ve won those tag titles with Bayley! But it was too late, she was already compromised as a loser. Becky showed Bayley what she thought of her before- Wait! Lyra is here! Lyra has a mic already and she says, “You had high hopes for me? Do you know how many women in that locker room warned me about you?”

Becky says, “I bet they did.” Lyra says Bayley was one of the first! Well, of course she was. Bayley said Becky would step on anyone just to get ahead. Lyra didn’t buy any of it, because she was so caught up in some stupid fairytale dream of two Irish women as tag team champions at WrestleMania! Because of the hopes she had for Becky! And Lyra isn’t sure how it took her all those Manhandle Slams, but Lyra finally sees it now. She knows exactly what Becky is: The Illusion of Becky Lynch is dead. And Lyra will make her pay for what she did! Becky bails as Lyra storms in, and Lyra says c’mon, she’s really gonna run away?

Kansas City wants to see a fight, right? The fans cheer that yes they do! Lyra asks what’s the matter. Is Becky thinking back to the last time they went 1v1? When Lyra beat Becky and took the NXT Women’s Championship? Becky says no, no, no, from now on, The Man only fights when it matters. And it doesn’t matter here in Kansas City! Lyra says she should’ve seen this coming, too. Sorry, Kansas City, but The Man is too good for you. But fine, they’ll do it at Backlash. And The Man will only want it if the Women’s Intercontinental Championship is on the line. Then Becky’s got it! Well, okay. Becky will make that title matter like she did Lyra matter!

So welcome to the- OH SHUT THE HELL UP, BECKY! Becky didn’t make Lura matter, Lyra made herself matter. Lyra doesn’t want to be the next Becky Lynch. She is Lyra Valkyria, and she will be both a better person than Becky, and she already knows she’s a better wrestler! Becky tells Lyra, “You listen to me, you little punk!” Becky rants about how Lyra wouldn’t even be in WWE if not for Becky paving the way! But then Lyra WERCKS Becks with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Lyra then goes after Becky on the outside, shoves her into the ring, and then hurries to throw down hands! The fans fire up more but Becky bails out again!

Becky runs away into the crowd and then into the night, but Lyra eggs her on. Will Becky face all the backlash for what she’s done since her return? Wait, speaking of return, Becky CLOBBERS Lyra on the ramp! The Man uses a cheap shot, but will Lyra make sure she sees the next one?

Nick Aldis talks with Penta backstage.

The substitute GM wants Penta to tranquilo. He knows what Judgment Day did, he knows Penta wants payback, so he’ll let Penta off without a fine. But we can’t have this happening, okay? Penta thanks Aldis. Aldis does have good news. He has put it on the books for next week: Penta VS JD McDonagh! Good! Penta will be ready! Penta thanks Aldis again, and then Penta turns around, to see Chad Gable & Ivy Nile. Chad, in his new “El Grande Americano es Numero Uno” shirt, tells Penta that he was just walking Ivy to gorilla and couldn’t resist to talk to another luchador on his descent.

Penta thought he was pretty slick pulling out a cheap victory on Gable for the Netflix debut, huh? But look at him now. Dropping the big one at WrestleMania. Oh, nothing to say? Isn’t it Cero Miedo? More like cero comebacks, clown! And also, Penta losing wasn’t the favorite part of WrestleMania for Gable. It was Penta’s loser brother, Fenix, dropping the ball in his WrestleMania debut to El Grande Americano! Penta BOOTS Gable down! Penta tells him not to talk bad on his brother! Don’t mess with the Lucha Brothers! And yes, he IS Penta, and he does have Cero Miedo, pendejo! Penta storms off, will Gable still be able to coach Ivy for her match?

Rusev speaks.

“Once upon a time I had it all. The gold, the fame, the tank at WrestleMania, then I lost myself. I left the WWE, and on my way home to Bulgaria, I fell into the abyss. In that abyss is where I found myself, healed myself, redeemed myself, and fixed myself. In that Hell, I realized I will no longer fight for a woman that isn’t mine, nor a flag that never was. An epiphany. I was finally free to crush people not because I was told to, but because I wanted to. So now, I will use my hands and jacked body for good. I will hunt the frauds, the arrogant, those who waste their talents like I did. And through pain, I will perfect them all for good.

“So my brothers, your lack of suffering ends now. I am the tempest rolling in. I will hunt you, forgive and fix you, like I fixed myself. But choose your next steps wisely, because for a righteous man, savagery will be no hardship. Ending you will be no loss.” Rusev is ready to fix the Raw roster, who will he choose to work on first?

Stephanie Vaquer VS Ivy Nile w/ Chad Gable!

La Primera made quite the impression on the Raw After Mania, then she thwarted Roxanne Perez on the NXT After Stand & Deliver. She has returned once again, will she continue to show why she is THE NXT Women’s Champion? Or will the Diamond Pitbull show her American Made strength?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally as the two feel things out. Ivy refuses the knuckle lock but Vaquer avoids the leg pick. Ivy comes back to lift and SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ivy facelocks, gator rolls, and she keeps hold of Vaquer to then float around, flip her over and cover, TWO! Vaquer waistlocks now, pops Ivy down to a O’Conner BRIDGE, TWO! Ivy gets up, runs up, and she kicks low. Ivy headlocks, Vaquer endures, and Vaquer powers up and out. Ivy runs Vaquer over, kisses the biceps, and things speed up. Vaquer bypasses Ivy then runs her over! The fans cheer, Vaquer storms up on Ivy, and whips her to ropes.

Ivy tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Vaquer comes back, Ivy ducks and whips, and Vaquer tilt-o-whirls to roll-up deep! TWO, and Ivy stands back up. The fans cheer the standoff, and then the two step up. Ivy swings, but into a wrench and snap suplex! Vaquer sits Ivy up and smiles. The fans like where this is going! Headscissors for the- NO, Ivy pops free to tie up the legs! QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH, into a SURFBOARD! Vaquer endures, pushes back to roll, andshe has the headscissors! DEVIL’S KISS! TEN kisses, yeeeeeeeah~! Gable is frustrated, the fans are fired up, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, and we get more DEVIL’S KISSES! Another TEN, yeeeeeeeah~! The fans fire up more while Gable is protesting. Ivy goes to a corner, Vaquer runs in, METEORA! Vaquer drags Ivy out, pushes her down to a cover, but Gable gives Ivy the ropebreak! The fans boo and Vaquer knows what happened. Gable plays innocent, but she storms out after him! Gable asks what’s her problem. But Ivy runs up to GERMAN SUPLEX Vaquer to the floor! Ivy puts Vaquer in the ring, hurries to go Around the World, CALF KICK! And then GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Vaquer survives but Ivy is right on her.

Ivy pushes Vaquer to the drop zone, climbs up the corner, but Vaquer rises to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer and Vaquer goes up! Vaquer brings Ivy to the top, but Ivy fights with body shots! Vaquer fires a flurry of HEADBUTTS! Vaquer shakes that off, then hoists Ivy up, SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ivy survives and Gable can breathe again. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” as Ivy and Vaquer rise. Vaquer HEADBUTTS, but Ivy fires a forearm! Vaquer CHOPS, so Ivy CHOPS! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and they turn to forearms! Ivy gets the edge, but Vaquer ducks a kick to mule kick!

Vaquer tucks Ivy, but Ivy powers out and scoops! SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Vaquer survives and the fans fire up! Vaquer goes to a corner, Ivy runs in, but Vaquer dodges the kick! Vaquer grabs the other leg, sticks it in the ropes, and then SUPERKICK! Then the DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Vaquer tucks Ivy in, S V B!! Cover, Vaquer wins!

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall

The NXT Women’s Champion has been busy, but it isn’t slowing her down! Will the Dark Angel continue to fly high no matter where she goes?

Aldis talks with AJ Styles.

Aldis knows The Phenomenal One is upset with how things went for him at WrestleMania. Logan Paul, Karrion Kross, trickery, all that. But Aldis knows Styles is still phenomenal. They’ve got a long list of opponents to help Styles get back on the horse. Styles says he’s got some ideas himself. But in step Judgment Day first… Liv has Dom & Raquel with her as she “apologizes” for interrupting, but she’ll need time off for Liv’s big Hollywood movie role! Yes, Aldis is aware. Congrats on that, that’s very exciting. And as far as he knows, the paperwork is all good. Liv thanks Aldis, but now Dom asks that he gets time off, too.

Um, why? Because Dom is a champion and he gets what he wants. Oh, is that so? No, Dom should’ve listened to his dad more. When you’re champion, you have to do more work. So request denied. And if they don’t mind, Aldis was in the middle of a conversation. Dom asks what Styles has to talk about, a retirement home? HAHAH! Didn’t Styles break a hip like Dom’s deadbeat dad? No, actually. Styles is thinking about breaking something else, if you catch his drift. Liv has this stop here. Judgment Day leaves, and Styles says if we’re talking opportunities, he just got an idea. Aldis says he knows exactly what Styles means. Is Dom’s name about to move way up the list?

Sami Zayn paces.

But Karrion Kross finds him. Kross says Sami’s got a really big decision to make tonight! And hopefully, Sami makes the right choice. Kross smiles and leaves, are his mind games only going to make things harder for Sami?

Pat McAfee addresses Gunther’s actions last week.

After reviewing footage of Der Ring General taking umbrage with Michael Cole’s mere opinion, and then the brutal physical assault on Pat McAfee for him simply sticking up for Cole, it is announced that Gunther has been fined an undisclosed yet large amount of money, and has been suspended indefinitely. Pat then stands up on the desk with a mic in hand, and the fans cheer as he says, “It is my honor to get a chance to chat in the city of the Home~ of the~ Chiefs! This place is glorious, and it’s the right place for me to deliver this message. There are a lot of people that have forgotten who the hell I am.

“I’ve had such a successful career on a microphone, I think even I have forgotten who the hell I am! This past week has made me look in the mirror and realize some things. That I’m still that dog that was born in the east  hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a truck driver that was just trying to go paycheck to paycheck to paycheck. I am a man that was not handed a lot in this life. I am a man that is lucky to be blessed with great friends. I am a man that went from being a irrelevant bum to a human that is known in basically every city in this country. I don’t have more talent than anybody, I’m definitely not better looking than most folks.

“But I happen to have a few things that I hope people will remember me by whenever my time has come to pass. When I die and I’m six feet in the dirt, I hope they say, ‘That guy was an incredibly hard worker. He worked his ass off. Not only for himself but for his friends, for his family, and for his community.'” The fans cheer that! Pat continues to say that he hopes they say he was empathetic. Whenever he received a lot, he gave back a lot. He gave millions, “AND MILLIONS~!” of dollars to his community and to children’s hospitals across this country. To military foundations, to homeless shelters, to LGBTQ reach out.

To public schools, to underprivileged communities and societies! Pat hopes that the people know he gave back and made the world better than when he came into it. And last but not least, when Pat is dead and gone, he hopes they will say that he was a loyal mother effer! The fans definitely cheer that! Pat says, “You must ride for those that ride for you. If one go, all go. You’re either with me or against me. And there’s one man that has been with me since the day I met him, and he just so happens to be the greatest of all time, MICHAEL COLE!” The fans cheer for Maggle, and Pat says to Cole, he will be loyal until he’s in the soil.

And if someone has something with Cole, then they have something with Pat. So last week, when that Austrian a-hole put his hands on Cole, Pat had no other option than to protect his guy! IT was deep in Pat’s soul, his blood. Afterward, Pat got attacked. Pat sees himself choked out all over the internet and TV. Friends and family told him not to do this with Gunther. Gunther is in his prime, a former World Heavyweight Champion. Pat said, “F THAT!! If I die, I die. If you’ve got a problem with Cole, you’ve got a problem with me, Gunther! SmackDown’s version of Adam Pearce, please come out here!”

Nick Aldis does make his way on stage, and Aldis wants Mr. McAfee to calm down. Pearce’s style tends to be, “let chaos reign,” but Aldis is in charge tonight and he does things a little different. And we all know that this is not the time nor the place for this. But Pat called Aldis out, so here he is. Please, keep it professional. Pat says he knows Aldis is just some middle manager, just like Pearce. Pearce, we miss you. But Pat knows Aldis has the power on this particular evening to make some things happen. Pat doesn’t like that Pearce suspended Gunther, that Gunther isn’t here. Aldis, lift the suspension so Pat can fight Gunther ASAP!

The fans like the sound of that, and Aldis says he figured it’d be something like that. That is why Aldis discussed this ahead of time with Pearce. As far as the suspension goes for Pat to go after Gunther, the answer is… No. The fans boo, but Aldis says both Gunther and Pat are far too valuable of assets to the WWE to take such a risk. But speaking of value, Aldis does have an alternative. They can lift he suspension on Gunther, and Pat can get his hands on Gunther, in a sanctioned contest inside the ring. Pat, what Aldis is proposing is Pat McAfee VS Gunther 1v1 at Backlash! The fans like the sound of that, too!

Pat says him and Gunther, 1v1, St. Louis, Backlash… DEAL! The fans cheer Pat on, but Cole is a bit worried. Win, lose, or draw, will Pat put Gunther in his place and show you can’t just bully anyone you want?

Sami is still thinking…

And then he crosses paths with Jey Uso. Jey tells his brother from another mother, Jey just wants to check in. Sami appreciates that. It is a big decision. Jey says whatever Sami decides, it’ll be the best for Sami. Jey loves you, dawg. Sami says he loves Jey, too. They hug it out, and Sami heads out. Will Jey having his back help Sami with that decision? But then LOGAN PAUL SUCKER PUNCHES Jey! Logan says that’s karma, Uce! Logan leaves Jey down and out, but will Logan face some karma of his own?

Seth Rollins is back in the ring.

The fans again sing for the Visionary, and he says, “Well, we are here. It is nearly the end of the night, so… Sami Zayn, I’d love for you to come out here and let’s talk this out, my friend.” Rollins waits, and Sami makes his entrance once again. The moment of truth is here as Sami again joins Rollins in the ring. Rollins says before Sami makes his decision, he just wants Sami to hear him out. Sami is putting Rollins in a very, very difficult position. He really is. They go back a long way, and Rollins does not want to see anything bad happen to Sami. Rollins gets it, Sami doesn’t like Bron or Heyman, but this is Rollins!

Twenty YEARS of friendship, Rollins and Sami. Last week, Sami came back to Raw, celebrated with Jey & Jimmy Uso because they’re friends. When Sami came out here, Rollins thought Sami was giving him the same respect. Rollins knows Sami doesn’t agree with it, but Rollins and Bron and Heyman, that is the way forward. Rollins believes with his whole heart that this IS the vision for the best future of the WWE. Rollins wishes he had someone else to believe in, but there is no one better to lead us into the future than Rollins. And the fact Sami doesn’t believe in Rollins hurts. Because this business tears relationships apart, friendships apart.

They’ve both been on either side of that, and Sami knows that after everything is said and done, how many true friends can Sami count he’s made in this business? It’s all on one hand, right? Less than five. But for Rollins, Sami was one of those true friends. When Rollins’ baby girl was born, Sami was one of the first people he called, as he’d just become a new father himself. Rollins was scared out of his mind, had nowhere to turn, so he turned to Sami. Sami gave him some of the best advice he’d ever gotten in his entire life, and he will forever be grateful. So please, allow Rollins to return the favor and give Sami some advice that could save his life.

Rollins wants Sami to take the pass. Take the way out. Whatever Heyman’s got lined up, go take it. Because if Sami stays on Raw and doesn’t believe in Rollins… Bad things are gonna happen. And Rollins loves Sami, he doesn’t want that to happen, so just take the pass. Take the way out. Rollins is begging Sami to take the out! The fans are torn, Sami is conflicted, and Sami says if he hurts Rollins’ feeling as a friend, he is sorry. Everything Rollins is saying is true, their friendship transcends the business, their children are friends, these two are good friends. Outside of this ring, that is true.

But when it comes to everything that Rollins says inside this ring… Sami says Rollins is playing games. Rollins is good, always has been. Sami’s never been good at that stuff. That’s why Rollins is in this position. And Rollins knows because of how close they are, he knows what cards to play. Sami confided in Rollins over the years, and how the one thing that’s eluded him in his entire career, how much it nags at him, that one thing Sami has yet to get is a world championship. And now, Rollins is dangling that in front of Sami. That is what Rollins is doing. Friend or not, for as long as Rollins has known Sami, has he ever, ever known Sami to run away?

Talk about hurt feelings, Sami will not stand here as his “friend” threatens him. Because that is what Rollins is doing. Rollins is saying if Sami doesn’t submit to Rollins’ future, he is a target. Guess what? Sami’s been a target 1000 times before! Sami can live with bein ga target, but he can’t live with being blackmailed, blackballed, blacklisted, extorted, manipulated! He will NOT be threatened!! The fans fire up as Sami says he WILL win a WWE world championship!! And when Sami does, it will not because of a favor from anyone., It will be from Sami doing it his way, and doing it the right way!

The fans cheer Sami on as Sami says, “As a friend, I respect you, I love you, but this is me telling you to go to Hell.” Rollins sighs, and here comes Bron! Heyman did say the dog would be coming for the underdog, will Sami not back down from this fight, either?

Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman & Seth Rollins!

The bell rings and Sami runs up, only for Bron to RAM him into a corner! Bron RAMS Sami again and again and again, then stops as the ref counts. Bron THROWS Sami overhead! Rollins watches on as Bron storms up on Sami to ROCK him! Bron scrapes Sami’s face against the ropes! Bron then whips Sami, but Sami KICKS the backdrop away! Sami goes to a corner, Bron runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, and he AX HANDLES Bron down! The fans fire up, Sami runs up on Bron and kicks him! Sami bumps Bron off buckles, then pushes him down. Sami goes back up, and he AX- NO, Bron hits another OVERHEAD SUPLEX!

The fans are torn, but plenty bark it up for Bron. Bron stalks Sami, drags him up and throws haymakers. Bron talks trash, CHOKES Sami on the ropes, then steps off. The ref reprimands and Sami sputters but Bron comes back for more. Bron whips Sami to then ELBOW him down! Bron smirks while fans are torn between boos and barks. Bron drags Sami up, brings him around, but Sami fires forearms and CHOPS! Sami fires more shots, more CHOPS, but Bron knees low! Bron headlocks, Sami powers up and out, drops down then jumps, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Sami is tougher than that, but Bron stays focused.

Bron drags Sami up and puts him on the ropes. Bron fires knee after knee, then whips Sami to ropes. Sami springboards to go up and over, then LARIAT! The fans fire up as now Bron scrambles. Bron runs back in but Sami TOSSES him out! Sami goes to the apron but Bron grabs a leg! Bron YANKS Sami down, then SMACKS him off the desk! Rollins doesn’t even look as Sami sputters. Bron goes up, aims, and FLYING LARIATS Sami onto the desk! Sami flops to the floor in a heap, but Rollins is still stoic as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more as Bron has Sami up top. Bron brings Sami up, but Sami fights the suplex with body shots! The fans fire up as Sami CLUBS away on Bron’s back! Sami then adjusts and SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bron survives, the fans fire up, and while Heyman nods, Rollins almost starts to scowl. Sami rises, the fans bring the fireflies out for Sami, and Sami storms up on Bron. Sami clinches, but Bron fights the exploder with elbows! Bron then wrenches, but Sami CHOPS, goes up, and up and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Bron survives, and now Heyman is a bit worried.

Rollins is still scowling the same as he was a moment ago, but the fans rally up for Sami. Sami goes to a corner, climbs up, and the fans cheer him on. But Bron is right after him! Bron anchors a leg, Sami throws down elbows, and Bron staggers away. But Bron is right back up! SUPER STEINER! The fans fire up as Bron brings down the straps! Bron aims, runs in, but Sami KICKS Bron! Sami clinches to CORNER EXPLODER! Bron sputters and the fans fire up for Sami! Sami is in the corner, he wants Bron to rise up, and he runs in, but into a SPEAR!! Bron turns things back around, and then he looms over Sami.

Bron looks to Rollins, Rollins gives the slightest nod, and Bron builds speed! SPEAR!! The fans bark while Sami flounders away to the apron. Rollins is there to tell Sami, “It doesn’t have to be this way. Take the out! There’s still time!” Sami tells Rollins, “GO TO HELL!” Sami drags himself up, but Bron builds speed! SPEAR!!! Sami is down and writhing again while the fans bark. Rollins frowns as Sami flops out to the floor. The ref checks Sami, and then he calls in the medics! Sami took a lot of damage, especially from those spears. Heyman tells Rollins to not feel bad, this isn’t on Rollins. And then Rollins tells Bron to finish this.

Bron goes outside, takes a lap, and he builds speed for the SUPER SPEAR!!! Bron just devastated Sami all over again! But then Bron tells the producers and refs to back off! Bron isn’t going to stop until Sami either gives up or is unconscious! Bron puts Sami in the ring, but the ref calls this! Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by referee stoppage

Bron says no, this doesn’t end like that! Rollins steps inside, even as medics check Sami. Rollins has Bron stand down, he’s done his part. Sami sits up, and Rollins says tonight is the first lesson: There are people who deserve their respect! Who deserve their compassion! Sami made his bed, so now he’ll sleep in it. THEN ROLLINS CURB STOMPS SAMI!!! Heyman grins a sinister grin, fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Is Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw and all of WWE all but inevitable?

My Thoughts:

Great episode tonight, but they snapped back to under 2.5 hours after last week’s big Raw After Mania. Rhea VS Roxie was a great match, even with Giulia getting involved. Iyo helping Rhea was good stuff, and that’s gotta be a tag match at some point. Judgment Day has continued disfunction as Finn is all out of the loop and getting put in a tag match. Great trash talk from The New Day, and great move from Penta to screw Judgment Day over. While Penta is getting a match with McDonagh, his interaction with Gable might invite an appearance from El Grande Americano. I bet Penta VS El Grande Americano could be set for Backlash. And then how hilarious would it be for the secret to be exposed just because the Lucha Brothers want a tag match with Gable and El Grande.

Very good match from Vaquer VS Nile, and that was probably one of Ivy’s best matches in awhile. Nothing else happened so this might’ve just been a good showcase for Vaquer. For all anyone knows, she’ll have a great feud with Giulia and Jordynne Grace, then Vaquer drops the title so she can jump right to Raw. Good promo from AJ Styles and Aldis to also bring in Dom, Liv & Raquel. Liv going off to do some movie stuff is cool, and I like that Dom thinks he can just get time off along with Liv. If Penta’s shifting to Gable/Grande, I bet Styles VS Dom will be the first Intercontinental Championship match for Dom’s reign.

Great promo from Becky, though I should’ve figured they were making her Bayley’s attacker. Lyra had a very good response, and their Women’s Intercontinental Championship will be a great match. I feel like Becky is about to return the favor of that NXT Women’s Championship match and take Lyra’s title. They’ll be 1-1 in their 1v1 series, and the tiebreaker can be some epic stuff for Money in the Bank in June. Very good promo from Rusev to put his return into perspective. I still think he and Otis have a match as Rusev’s in-ring return, and then he will win so he can move on to even bigger names.

Good promo from Logan, though as a Heel, he glosses over how he hasn’t actually done everything. There are a lot of titles and match accomplishments for him to still do, but whatever. Plus, great response from Jey, both verbally and with that superkick. Logan getting payback backstage was fitting of Logan being such an obnoxious Heel, and I am pretty sure this is a sign that they learned from their bad pacing with the Jey VS Gunther build. Speaking of, great promo from Pat to hype things up going into Pat VS Gunther at Backlash. I guess Pat must’ve been getting himself ready this whole time, because we’re talking 12 days until it’s time.

And of course, Seth Rollins’ new faction and how Sami Zayn stood up to him is THE story going now. Good promo to start the show, bringing up how Rollins is being no better than certainly Roman by starting a faction, and then Rollins being diplomatic in a backhanded way. Sami contemplating the choice while hearing from others was good stuff, and I like that Kross is back to copying Sami’s hair the way he also copied Styles. Naturally, Sami as a Face, he chose to stand against Rollins and his attempt to control the WWE, and we get a great main event.

If I had a nickel every time Sami lost by referee stoppage, I’d have (at least) two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but I like that it’s kinda Sami’s thing. And the framing of Rollins giving Sami that Curb Stomp was a bit obvious, but that’s why it was also perfect. I don’t know if Sami gets any allies in this fight, with so many names out there preoccupied in other stories right now, but I guess we’ll have to see if Sami even returns next week to keep fighting.

My Score: 8.8/10